Elliot L. Botvinick
Professor, Biomedical Engineering, Surgery
Associate Director, Edwards Lifesciences Foundation Cardiovascular Innovation and Research Center
Dr. Elliot Botvinick is a Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Surgery. In 2007, he established the Bio-Engineering of Advanced Mechanical Systems (BEAMS) program. The BEAMS program operates UC Irvine laboratories at the Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, the Convergence Optical Sciences Initiative in Beall Applied Innovation, and Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic.
The BEAMS Lab, under the direction of Dr. Botvinick, specializes in mechanobiology and medical device development. The team utilizes biophotonic theory and technology to sense physical environments within engineered systems for diabetes management, interstitial analyte sensing and disease detection and treatment.
Key research areas include:
- Cellular mechanobiology: using laser tweezers to study the relationship between mechanical stresses on cells and their microenvironment, with applications in cancer research, tissue morphogenesis, and wound healing
- Diabetes technology: engineering long-lasting insulin infusion sets to reduce unwanted hyper- and hypo- glycemic events, improving quality of life for individuals with Type 1 Diabetes
- Wearable biosensors: developing continuous multi-analyte monitor (CMA) technology platforms capable of real-time metabolite measurement for trauma and critical care applications
Dr. Botvinick’s has received notable honors, including the Mid-career Award from the School of Medicine, the Entrepreneurial Leader of the Year from Beall Applied Innovation, the Innovator of the Year from Henry Samueli School of Engineering, and Faculty Mentor of the Year from the Department of Biomedical Engineering.
Dr. Botvinick is a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biomedical Engineering. He is a member of the Biomedical Engineering Society, Optical Society of America (OSA), and Biophysical Society.
